1. Technology Unlocks Educational Boundaries: Technology supports Virtual or Online Learning. Unlike physical classrooms, online learning is flexible and students from different geographical locations can attend the same class with no need of traveling from those locations. Advancement in virtual technology has supported face-to-face communication between students and teachers in the virtual world. In this case, students can easily ask their remote based educators’ questions using virtual communication tools like SKYPE. Online education is a new wave in our education environment and it has made many educational courses and material accessible to anyone in the world. Many colleges and universities are blending their educational systems with online learning tools, this helps students of these institutions learn from anywhere.
2. Technology Simplifies Access to
Educational Resources: Technology
helps students gain access to open educational resources. These resources are
kept under the public domain and are freely available to anyone over the
world-Wide-Web. These educational resources include electronic books (e-books)
, pod-casts, digital libraries, educational games, educational videos and
instructions, tutorials and much more. Teachers have embraced video hosting
platforms like Youtube, to upload
recorded lectures, so that students who missed lectures can access them from
anywhere. Also the use of cell
phones for educational purposes, helps students and teachers
access educational information using Edtech Apps . Teachers are also using
lesson videos and clips online to learn how other educators are using
technology in classroom and education, these techniques and approaches uploaded
by other educators promote self training and they help many teachers when it
comes to integrating technology in their own classrooms. Website like TeacherTube,
Youtube, 02 Learn,
are providing free online lessons and videos to students, these videos have
been created and uploaded by teachers and experienced educators.
3. Technology Motivates Students: The use of computer based instructions makes
students feel in control of what they learn. Students find it easy to learn
with technology because computers are
patient compared to humans. Teachers publish educational instructions on
classroom blogs or
they assign research work via email, and this gives a student time to study on
their own and have no fear of making mistakes during the process of
learning. Also the use of Gamification educational technologies has
increased students interest in learning, teachers use educational puzzles and
video games to teach students how to solve different academic challenges, this
all process makes students love to learn.
4. Technology Improves Students
Writing and Learning Skills: The
use of computers in the classroom has helped many students learn how to write well
composed sentences and paragraphs. Computers have word processing applications
which students use to take notes in the classroom, these word processing
applications have built-in dictionaries which help students auto-correct
spelling errors and also correct their grammar in a sentence. Also students
using English teaching software and mobile applications like BUSUU. Many students have
used BUSUU APP to learn different languages online and they can also get access
to grammar guides provided by experienced publishers. Teachers encourage their
students to create personal blogs using free blog publishing services like BLOGGER
& WORDPRESS, students use these blogs to express them selves and share with
friends, this process helps students learn how to write creative blog posts.
5. Technology makes subjects
easy to learn: Different types of educational
software are designed to help students learn various subjects easier. Many
students complain that learning Math is difficult, so some of them have decided
to use educational Math software like BrainingCamp. Students can use BrainingCamp to apply their
Math knowledge and skills to solve different math equations. BrainingCamp.com
makes learning math very interesting. Also students use math learning games to
learn new skills of solving math equations. Websites like IXL.COM, learninggamesforkids.com,
help students of different grades to learn simple math basics. Teachers and
students can take advantage of sites like Edalive.com; they create powerful educational software that
motivates students to learn in a fun way. Some of the best educational software
on Edalive.com include:
·
Baggin’
the Dragon v2 – which is Multiplayer Computer Maths Game for Kids
·
Spelling
Force v2 – software which helps kids learn how to spell.
6. Promotes Individual Learning: Technological tools like cell phones and
internet give students an opportunity to learn by them selves. Many students
prefer teaching them selves and discovering content by them selves, this
process allows them to test various options to solve a given task at school.
Students use interactive educational games and software to develop different
academic skills. For example; Art and design students can use Photoshop
software to learn different design and editing skills, the process of learning
how to use Photoshop is tricky, but the more mistakes and trials a student
makes, the better they become at using Photoshop. Also the use of cell
phones as educational tools encourages students to download
educational podcasts which they can listen to while at home.
7. Supports Differentiated
Instructions: Teachers can use technology to
cater for each and every student’s needs in the classroom or out side of the
classroom. The use of classroom assessment software and performance tracking
programs helps teachers plan for each student basing on their performance and
learning capabilities. Teachers can be in position to classify students and
know their weakness and strength as far as education is concerned. Teachers can
use mobile applications like PollEverywhere.com to get student’s response on any topic
or subject. Social collaboration tools like Piazza.com can help teachers create virtual classroom and
assign research work or answer student’s questions from anywhere.
8. Increases
Collaboration between Teachers and Students: The use of advanced
communication technologies in education helps teachers reach their students
easily and it also helps students reach their teachers or fellow students in
real-time. Teachers can use mobile texting applications like Remind101.com to text
students about an upcoming test or to assign them research topics. Educational
social networks like ePals.com connect
students with experienced educators; social bookmarking sites like
Pinterest.com help students collaborate and follow creative teachers and
educators from around the world. This flexibility in interaction and
communication between teachers and students helps shy students improve on their
grades.
9. Prepares Students for Tomorrows
Technological Jobs: As the world develops, every
job in the future will require applicants to have some technical skills. So the
use of technology in education prepares our children for tomorrows advanced
working conditions. Students use computers in the classroom to develop creative
applications which can be used on cell phones or tablets for educational
purposes. The advantages of knowing how to use a computer are limitless, so the
more time a students spends using various technological tools at school, the
more experienced and creative they become. According to research, the most
popular jobs today will be of no value in the next 5-10 years, because
technology will automate most of these tasks, so it is better to equip our
children with technical skills so that they create their own jobs.
10. Increases Students
Innovation and Creativity: Many
teachers have discovered that integrating technology in their classroom
increases student’s engagement in the classroom. So now they put up
technological competitions where students can make small educational
technologies like robots, smart-pens, mobile applications and much more. These
technological competitions in schools have increased the level of creativity
and innovation among students. Technology teaches students how to solve
challenges and get ready for more difficult tasks in life.